Eileen O'Brien

The committee discussed plans for the Spring Welcome Back Day, specifically regarding the keynote speaker and the integration of campus safety perspectives into the event agenda. Additionally, the committee approved FEP reflective reports, received a report on upcoming distance education office hours, reviewed draft forms for faculty advancement on the pay scale, and deliberated on allowing credit for the President's Leadership Academy toward the Faculty Academy, though a final vote was postponed due to a lack of quorum.

The committee meeting covered several key agenda items. Members discussed the revision of required Faculty Professional Development (FPD) hours and collected input to be provided to the Faculty Union lead negotiator. The committee unanimously approved the 25/26 FPD Handbook and all submitted Faculty Excellence Program (FEP) plans. Additionally, the committee engaged in a robust discussion regarding required FPD hours for full-time and adjunct faculty, including specific considerations for extra duties performed by CTE faculty. Other topics included the planning of future Faculty Academy credits for Standard 1 events and coordinating with the Theater Arts department to ensure performances are included in the Virtual Resource Center as Standard 2 events.

The committee reviewed and accepted the Measure R financial statements, the performance audit report, and the expenditure report for the period ending June 30, 2016. The discussions included the absence of audit findings, the expansion of program funding to approximately $200 million over a 12-year period, the process for addressing public inquiries, campus infrastructure development, and a $24 million bond refund provided to local taxpayers.

The committee discussed the resolution of faculty login issues with VRC/Cornerstone and welcomed a new committee member. Discussion items included planning the Spring Welcome Back Day, with a consensus to offer sessions on February 5th with extended time for deeper exploration. The committee reviewed and unanimously approved a sabbatical application. Additional topics included ongoing research for the Faculty Academy, concerns regarding online proctoring software, strategies to improve the accessibility of the FPD calendar, the initiation of an employee walking group, and feedback concerning the scheduling of President's town hall meetings.

The committee held a discussion regarding the Faculty Professional Development (FPD) handbook and reached a decision not to allow FPD credit for graduation. Additionally, the committee discussed the Faculty Enrichment Program (FEP) and voted to remove all restrictions on FEP participation, opting to address future participation on a case-by-case basis. The committee also considered strategies to increase FEP engagement, such as featuring testimonies in the Academic Senate newsletter and resuming professional milestones symposiums for participants to present final reports.